Shropshire Caving & Mining Club - About Us

Shropshire Caving & Mining Club - About us

About Us

In the 1950s a group of friends started exploring and studying disused mines and caves in Shropshire and other parts of the UK. In September 1961 they officially formed themselves into the "The Shropshire Mining Club", later changing their name to "The Shropshire Caving & Mining Club".

We are still going strong after over 50 years, with several of the early founding members involved and taking part in club activities.

The Club runs an active programme of underground and surface trips, with typically 2 to 3 main trips per month. We also organise trips to caves and mines in all parts of Britain, the Isle of Man, Ireland, and the Continent - basically anywhere we can get underground!

Club members are a major force in the Midlands Cave Rescue Organisation, regularly participating in rescue practices and training.

In addition to underground exploration and training Members carry-out historical research, the results of which the Club publishes on this website, in it's Journals, "Accounts", Quarterly Journal/Newsletter - Below!, or Videos - combining a record of Club explorations with the historical background to the sites concerned. (The videos are produced in association with I.A.Recordings).

Meetings

We hold a Club Meeting on the first Friday of every month at Allscott Bowling Club (formerly the British Sugar Social Club), Allscott, Telford, Shropshire at 8pm - Please get in touch before turning up in case the date or venue has changed!

Conservation

Members are also active in the preservation and conservation of underground and surface sites, working with other local groups and councils to protect bat habitats and sites of historical importance.

To help with rescue and exploration activities Club members have developed a variety of 'low' and 'high' tech gadgets.

Club Subs - unchanged for 2019

Full member: £22.00 + £17 per person p.a. BCA insurance*.

Joint/Family: £30, plus relevant insurance*.

Junior (under 16): £14, plus relevant insurance*.

Subscriber: £22 (this only entitles you to receive Club publications).

Note:- The BCA may change their insurance premium rates in 2019

* The £17 per person BCA insurance premium covers both surface and underground activities. If you only require surface cover the premium is £6 per person. If you already get BCA insurance via another Club/Society we'll need to know your BCA number.

Contacting Us

Send an e-mail to:

scmc.secretary followed by @ then factree.org.uk

(Sorry about this but we're trying to reduce the SPAM !)

Membership

If you are interested in joining the club please download the membership application form:

Important Note

Underground exploration can be dangerous if you do not have the right equipment and skills. This is why you should consider joining a well established Club, who can train you and lend you equipment for your first few trips.

Have a look at our Links page to find links to other underground exploration groups, both in Britain and around the world.